The US GP was a strong comeback race for Liam Lawson, whose quest to earn a Red Bull seat is off to an ideal start. His first result after a year away from F1 (9th place, just ten seconds behind Sergio Perez), is a clear statement of intent. However, Lawson insists he is targeting consistent performances.
Red Bull pleased with first indications from Liam Lawson in COTA
When VCARB announced Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo as their 2024 line-up last season, there was widespread criticism.
The decision to keep Lawson on the sidelines was widely described as a mistake, potentially hampering the progress someone whose debut performances indicated immense potential.
Twelve months later, Lawson is already producing results that suggest Red Bull were too hesitant in giving him a chance.
Still, thankfully for the Kiwi, the remainder of 2024 is not just about staying in F1. The defending Champions see him as a strong candidate to drive alongside Max Verstappen next season.
Lawson keeps a level head
Having put together a storming drive in COTA, Lawson received plenty of praise across the F1 paddock. This included the two people he wants to impress the most – Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
However, the 22-year-old refuses to get carried away after one weekend:
“I spoke to Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko],” he told Sky F1.
“They were positive, they said ‘well done’.
“But at the same time, that was the expectation they had on me.
“The goal every weekend is points. I know they have an expectation of me, but I have an expectation on myself as well to do a job…
“I’m aware of the expectation they have on me. But at the end of the day, it’s been the same since I was 16 years old as a junior.
“They’ve always put pressure on us. So realistically, it’s no different than that.”
Consistent results are essential
The maturity of these comments are consistent with the level-headed approach that Lawson shows on track.
As he crossed the line and claimed his first F1 points last year in Singapore, the 22-year-old was very self-critical across the line. He was frustrated at himself for losing ground at the beginning of the race, due to a poor start procedure.
Whilst only a small comment independently, Lawson regularly demonstrates the characteristics of someone capable of driving at the highest level.
After a tough battle with Fernando Alonso in the Sprint race, he could have easily been tempted to make combative statements to the press. He resisted this, instead focusing on letting his driving to the talking.
Yuki Tsunoda has been a high-performing driver for several years now, so Lawson being competitive immediately is a hugely impressive sign.
With that said, as the Kiwi himself acknowledges, there is still plenty of racing to go. Maintaining this level will be critical to maximise Lawson’s chances of being considered for a Red Bull contract.
